Kentucky Derby- and Preakness-winning trainer Rick Dutrow was suspended for 30 days on Tuesday for violating doping rules.

The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission issued the suspension Tuesday, more than a year after tests revealed that Salute the Count had an excessive amount of Clenbuterol in his blood after finishing second in a race at Churchill Downs the day before he won the Derby with Big Brown.

Clenbuterol allows horses to breathe easier while exercising. Its only legal at low dosages.

Besides imposing the 30-day suspension, the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission ordered Dutrow to return the purse money won by the horse. In a rare split vote, the commission voted 6-5 to suspend Dutrow for 30 days moments after voting 6-5 against approving the 15-day ban proposed by both the stewards at Churchill and an officer who heard Dutrows appeal.

That officer had initially rejected the suspension altogether due to questions about the drug testing that was used, but the racing commission later asked him to take another look.

Commission executive director Lisa Underwood explained the harsher penalty was due in part because they felt he was dragging out the process.

He flagrantly worked the system, Underwood said. I think a lot of what was going through the commissioners minds was to protect the integrity of racing. Frankly, its offensive for the betting public to see trainers still out there who have a violation, who have admitted they have a violation.

Dutrow did not return a call by The Associated Press. His attorney, Frank Becker represented him in the closed session and said afterward the case would almost certainly be appealed to Franklin Circuit Court.

Dutrow has 10 days to file the appeal. If suspended by one state, he wouldnt be allowed to train horses in any others during that period.

Becker said he was puzzled as to why the commissioners increased the penalty.

They didnt reveal it to us, he said.

Big Brown never violated a drug rule, but Dutrow was widely criticized when he acknowledged the horse had the then-legal steroid stanozolol in his bloodstream during his 2008 Derby and Preakness victories. Kentucky and most other states have since banned stanozolol and other anabolic steroids.

In an October interview with The Associated Press, Dutrow said he abides by drug rules and that if there are occasional overages for legal drugs, its because he doesnt have day-to-day oversight of all his horses.

I think we run a pretty clean outfit, Dutrow said. I dont use stuff youre not allowed to use.

The Dutrow suspension was handed down at the same meeting where the University of Florida lab that conducts Kentuckys drug testing presented a glowing report about Kentuckys adherence to new drug rules.

From March through May, there wasnt a single anabolic steroid violation detected in any Kentucky racehorse, said Rick Sams, director of the Florida racing lab.

Out of the nearly 1,500 thoroughbred blood and urine samples sent to the lab in that period, 119 were subjected to further scrutiny, and 23 generated violations. Almost all the drugs that broke rules were being used for therapeutic reasons but at doses that were too high.

John Ward, a trainer and racing commission member, said the report was encouraging because it showed almost all trainers in Kentucky were abiding by the rules.

The transparency of these reports is, in my opinion, groundbreaking in the industry, Ward said. Finally everyone is starting to understand there are a certain number of management problems, but on the outside we are running a clean show.

Michael Owens first public appearance since signing for Manchester United was at Sandown Park on Saturday, perhaps reminding himself what it is to be among champions. In Sea The Stars, and the wise old heads around him, the horse lover in Owen had the perfect inspiration.

Recent Derby winners have had an unhappy relationship with the Coral-Eclipse, either ducking it or fluffing it. But if it was important for this landmark race that the latest classic hero justified his billing, it was also crucial for a sport once more enveloped by sleaze and scandal.

The heads of the wider public are turned more readily by a royal trainer and a prohibited drug than by any individual horse. But after the shocking revelations on Friday, and with the promise of more to come this week, events in the Surrey sunshine went gratifyingly to script.

Most summers have their headline horse and this one is special. Sea The Stars became the first Derby winner in 20 years to take the Eclipse and the first in seven years to win his subsequent race. He did so despite the opposition ganging up to seek flaws and despite his natural pace carrying him to the front too soon.
Any jockey less implacable than Mick Kinane might have panicked when the odds-on shot was almost joined by Rip Van Winkle at the furlong pole. Kinane knew what was under him, though, and Sea The Stars accelerated again as if merely playing with a much-vaunted rival he has now beaten three times.

Kinane has ridden numerous marquee middle-distance horses but none, he says, with the qualities of this one. He has so much speed he could win over any trip, he said. Add to that a placid constitution which many compare to that of his trainer, though John Oxx demurs. Hes far more laid back, he said. The trainers a bit of an actor on days like this.

The day was all too much for Chris Tsui, his young Hong-Kong based owner, who collapsed through heat and excitement after the race. Tsui is enjoying the ride, though, and showing no signs of wishing to take the fortunes he might be offered. That may change in the autumn but, until then, Oxx can plot at least three more runs, possibly starting with the King George this month.

Its either that or the International at York – I cant see him running in both – and the King George would give him longer before his next major target, the Irish Champion Stakes, Oxx concluded. That race, on September 5, should see the anticipated rematch with Fame And Glory, the Irish Derby winner.

Sandown, meanwhile, can bask in the reflected glory of a memorable race attended by a crowd of 15,000. The course, though, should consider two points within an otherwise contented debrief.

Firstly, it must banish the notion that the Eclipse can be reinvented as the final leg of a modern Triple Crown. It is not a classic, nor a race limited to three-year-olds, hence to bracket it with the Guineas and Derby is contrived and counterproductive.

Secondly, Sandown must maximise its virtues by using the paddock as a winners enclosure for its biggest races. The present model is too clubby, too far from the crowds to produce the theatre demanded by champions.

Is it any wonder that outsiders view racing with a beady eye? The default setting of a sport to which some of us are in thrall is to self-destruct. Hence its attraction to thriller-writers bereft of a good idea.

We can hardly blame them. The latest example saw Nicky Henderson dig himself into a hole over the failed drugs test of a horse belonging to the Queen. The episode portrayed him in a light all too familiar to those who document racing for a living. It was a slap in the face to those who assumed that a man described as one of the most honourable would act honourably in the circumstances.

We should not have been surprised. Some weeks earlier, Matt Gingell was banned for two years when a horse he trained tested positive to sodium bicarbonate, a milkshake more commonly known as baking soda. Gingell asserted that his horse had escaped from its box, stumbled upon a bag of baking soda and eaten the contents. Thriller-writers deep in debt would baulk at that one. It is nothing less than teenage schoolboy tripe.

In racing, however, implausible fiction is common currency. The effect of racings disciplinary process opening up to the media is to sympathise with regulators who are obliged to consider even the most outrageous claims.
Then again, racing hardly encourages the schoolboy to grow up. The majority of races are handicaps, which positively encourages deceit. And when deceit prevails, the perpetrator is seen as shrewd or clever. The simple fact is that trainers who fail to play the game rarely win valuable handicaps. It is a curious mindset to encourage.

Playing the game means beating the bookies. So there is irony in Corals exasperation that its sponsorship of Saturdays Eclipse Stakes was usurped by media coverage of the Henderson case. But thats racing for you.

Sponsors at this weeks Newmarket July meeting will be ambushed by the outcome to the authorities corruption inquiry featuring Darren Williams, Fergal Lynch and Karl Burke. It will finally close the book on a five-year investigation that embraced the collapsed Old Bailey trial involving Kieren Fallon.

We segue seamlessly from one scandal to another. And when racing per se is not at fault, it is the preferred medium of rogues and villains outside it.

Those of you old enough to have read about the notorious stun gun incident at Royal Ascot 21 years ago will certainly remember it well. A man stood up in Southwark Crown Court and explained how he had transformed his binoculars into a stun gun that prompted Ile De Chypre, a well-backed favourite, to swerve and unseat his jockey, Greville Starkey, with the race as good as won.

His claim was gleefully seized upon by the media. Whether the stun gun actually worked became academic, since the man was convicted of trafficking cocaine. Banknotes with traces of the drug were found in his car; he maintained he had drawn the money from on-course bookmakers after executing his stun-gun coup. The ruse received significant airplay because it conformed to racings stereotype.

That was unpalatable enough for racing devotees, yet one nuance remains stuck in the craw to this day. Halfway through the case, a Sunday newspaper ran a picture of Starkey aboard a wildly rearing pony that was supposedly used to test the stun guns effectiveness. Even though racing was being dragged through the mud, Starkey thought nothing of perpetuating a claim that was ridiculous in the extreme. It illustrated why racing has only itself to blame for the way others see it.

Backtalk beat Flatter Than Me by a length Friday in the $110,500 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs.

Backtalk, ridden by Miguel Mena, ran six furlongs in 1:11.08 and paid $3.60, $2.60 and $2.20. Flatter Than Me returned $3.60 and $3.20, and Brassy Boy paid $4 to show.

Backtalk gave trainer Tom Amoss his second Bashford Manor victory. Amoss also won in 2002 with Lone Star Sky.

A trainer has been fined and banned three months from entering horses after one of Queen Elizabeth IIs racehorses failed a doping test.

Nicky Henderson learned of his punishment from the British Horseracing Authority on Friday. It says a prohibited substance was found after Moonlit Paths debut in February when she finished sixth.

Moonlit Path tested positive for a drug that prevents hemorrhaging.

The 58-year-old handler could have faced disqualification, but instead will be unable to run any of his horses from July 11 to October 10 and must pay a $65,000 fine.

The British monarchs jumps racing adviser, Michael Oswald, says We are disappointed. We will obviously discuss it but have not yet had the chance to do so.

Betting favorite Strawberry Tart made a late run and edged Jehan by a half-length to win the $100,000 Flawlessly Stakes at Hollywood Park on Friday.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, the 3-year-old filly covered 1 mile over the turf course in 1:34.28 and paid $6.40, $3.40 and $3.40. Jehan returned $9 and $5.60, while Dash Dot Dash paid $6 to show.

She broke real good and I took her back to make one run. When I asked her to go, she kicked home like a superstar, Garcia said.

The victory, worth $60,000, was the fourth in six starts for Strawberry Tart and raised her career earnings to $152,622.

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Go Go Shoot wins Monmouth feature

Go Go Shoot held off Timely Advice by a half-length Friday in the in the $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth Park.

Trained by Bruce Levine and ridden by Eddie Castro, the 4-year-old gelding covered six furlongs on the fast main track in 1:08 3-5 and paid $4.60, $2.60 and $2.40.

Timely Advice returned $3 and $2.20, and Unwritten paid $3 to show.

In the co-feature, American Border edged Quiet Meadow by a head in the $70,000 Miss Liberty Stakes. Trained by Jason Servis and ridden by Elvis Trujillo, the 5-year-old mare ran 1 1-16 miles on the turf course in 1:45 1-5 and paid $16.20, $7.80 and $3.40. Quiet Meadow returned $4.60 and $3.60, while Captains Lover paid $3.20.

Claiborne Farms Blame found running room at the eighth pole for a 1 -length win in Thursdays featured $50,397 Moon Over Prospect Purse for 3-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Blame, a 3-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Arch ridden by Jamie Theriot, covered the mile on a fast main track in 1:36.41 to beat out Blackberry Road.

The victory, the second in four starts for Blame, was worth $30,580 and increased his earnings to $69,025.

Blame, trained by Al Stall Jr., returned $9.20, $5.60 and $4. Blackberry Road returned $11.60 and $8.20 with Forest Warfare paid $5.80 to show in the field of 10.

Saturdays $750,000 United Nations Stakes came up looking like a Grade 1 turf race should, with a solid mix of old and young performers in the field of nine, including Patricia Generazios Presious Passion, who will be out to duplicate his 2008 score in the mile and three-eighths event.
Only this time, victory wont come as a surprise for the 6-year-old son of Royal Anthem, and you definitely wont get 13-1 at the windows. Presious Passion turned in a powerful prep for the 56th running of the U.N. by winning the Monmouth Stakes here on June 13, regaining the lead in deep stretch after he looked beaten, and that race should set him up for a repeat. That race set him up right for this, and Im happy with him, said trainer Mary Hartmann. Hes coming up to the race the right way. Presious Passion, who was a problem child at 4, has turned into a professional racehorse at 5 and 6, and comes into this running of the United Nations as a multiple graded stakes winner with more than $1.2 million in career earnings. He acted like a wild kid at 4, Hartmann said. It wasnt until he turned 5 that he learned to relax and stopped doing stupid things all the time. Last year was the geldings best season yet, with victories in the Grade 1 United Nations, Grade 2 W.L. McKnight and Grade 3 Pan American.

This year, hes won the Grade 2 Mac Diarmida and the Monmouth Stakes and comes into the U.N. ready to roll. I dont breeze him between races, Hartmann said, because he gallops so aggressively every day. And it seems like it takes most of the day when we bring him out. Ive tried to keep him relaxed and happy between races, the trainer said. He goes out after the last break when theres no traffic on the track and he can be relaxed. He stands out there for a half-hour, and then he backs up to the quarter-pole and stands for another 15 minutes, and then he gallops two miles. It keeps him happy. There will be some new shooters gunning for Presious Passion in this edition of the U.N., including the 4-year-olds Court Vision and Wesley. There will also be some old challengers like Better Talk Now, the 2005 U.N. winner who tries again at age 10.

KISS THE KID GOES TURF-TO-DIRT IN SALVATOR MILE SATURDAY

Hardacre Farms Kiss the Kid, who tried Presious Passion in the Monmouth Stakes on turf last out, will go for his first graded stakes victory on the main track in Saturdays $250,000 Salvator Mile (G3). The 6-year-old son of Lemon Drop Kid has won two Grade 3 events on the grass (Cliff Hanger at the Meadowlands and Appleton at Gulfstream), and owner-trainer Amy Tarrant thinks the Salvator Mile is a good spot for Kiss the Kid to pass the versatility test. I thought I should give him a chance in here because we have the home field advantage, Tarrant said. He trains over this track every day, and hes already won on the dirt here. If ever I was going to try him in a graded stakes on dirt, this is the place to take a shot, she said. Kiss the Kid won a mile and a sixteenth allowance event here in 2006, and took an off-the-turf allowance on a muddy track in 2007. Last year, Tarrant sent him out in the Grade 1 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream on the main track, and Kiss the Kid finished a game third behind Spring at Last and A.P. Arrow. Hes run well enough on the main track here to deserve a chance, Tarrant said. I think he can get a piece of it.

T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY SATURDAY TOPS HOLIDAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES

Monmouth Park will celebrate the Fourth of July holiday weekend with three days of activities for the entire family. Friday, Saturday and Sunday all will be Family Fun Days, with free pony rides, face painters, clowns, and bounce houses each day from 12 to 4 p.m. Live music will be provided on Saturday by the Cats on a Smooth Surface band, and on Sunday by The Kootz. A Monmouth Park T-shirt giveaway highlights Saturday, July 4, with all paid admissions receiving a distinctive Jersey Shore shirt.

A special jockey autograph signing and memorabilia sale, plus several raffles, will be featured on Saturday and Sunday, with proceeds benefitting the Don MacBeth Memorial Jockey Fund.

Prizes to be raffled off include restaurant gift certificates, Stars of the Turf prints by renowned racing artist PEB, and an afternoon in the booth with Monmouth announcer Larry Collmus.

Saturdays $750,000 United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, N J, came up looking like a Grade I turf race should, with a solid mix of old and young performers in the field of nine, including Presious Passion, who will be out to duplicate his 2008 score in the mile and three-eighths event.

Only this time, victory wont come as a surprise for the six-year-old son of Royal Anthem, and you definitely wont get 13-1 at the windows. Presious Passion turned in a powerful prep for the 56th running of the U.N. by winning the Monmouth Stakes on June 13, regaining the lead in deep stretch after he looked beaten.

That race set him up right for this, and Im happy with him, said Presious Passions trainer, Mary Hartmann. Hes coming up to the race the right way.

Presious Passion, who was slow to come around at age four, has turned into a professional racehorse at five and six, and comes into this running of the United Nations as a multiple graded stakes winner with more than $1.2 million in career earnings.

He acted like a wild kid at four, Hartmann said. It wasnt until he turned five that he learned to relax and stopped doing stupid things all the time.

Last year was the geldings best season yet, with victories in the Grade I United Nations, Grade II W.L. McKnight and Grade III Pan American. This year, hes won the Grade II Mac Diarmida and the Monmouth Stakes and comes into the U.N. ready to roll.

I dont breeze him between races, Hartmann said, because he gallops so aggressively every day. And it seems like it takes most of the day when we bring him out.

Ive tried to keep him relaxed and happy between races, the trainer said. He goes out after the last break when theres no traffic on the track and he can be relaxed. He stands out there for a half-hour, and then he backs up to the quarter-pole and stands for another 15 minutes, and then he gallops two miles. It keeps him happy.

There will be some new shooters gunning for Presious Passion in this edition of the U.N., including the 4-year-olds Court Vision and Wesley. There will also be some venerable challengers like Better Talk Now, the 2005 U.N. winner who tries again this year at age 10 after running a solid third in the Grade I Manhattan Handicap on Belmont Stakes Day at Belmont; and eight-year-old Brass Hat who captured the Louisville Handicap at Churchill Downs last time out.

As a Breeders Cup Challenge Win and Youre In race, the United Nations offersng a berth in the November 7 $3 million Breeders Cup Turf at Oak Tree at Santa Anita to the winner.

SEVEN INVADERS ARRIVE FOR SUNDAYS AMERICAN OAKS AT HOLLYWOOD PARK

New Zealand trainer Wayne Hillis is a man of his word. When I was here with Boulevard of Dreams five years ago, I told Marty after the race that I would be back, Hillis said Wednesday from Hollywood Park.

Boulevard of Dreams finished seventh behind winner Ticker Tape in the 2004 American Oaks but Hillis has higher hopes for Puttanesca in the $700,000, Grade I test at 1 miles on turf Sunday.

A New Zealand-bred filly who cleared quarantine Wednesday morning after being flown here Monday, Puttanesca was one of seven out-of-state fillies invited by racing secretary Martin Panza to have settled into their stalls at the Inglewood, Calif., racetrack. Seven California-based invitees double the field size to 14.

Puttanesca won the Group II New Zealand Bloodstock Royal Stakes in January at the American Oaks distance of ten furlongs. The chestnut, the only 4-year-old in the lineup because of her Southern Hemisphere foaling, has recorded two firsts, three seconds and two thirds in 11 starts.

Hillis has given a call to jockey Glen Boss to ride the filly for the first time. Hes a leading rider from Australia, has won the Melbourne Cup two or three times, and has ridden internationally in Hong Kong and England, said Hillis of the veteran.

Puttanesca has been joined in the Hollywood isolation barn by Apple Charlotte from England and Rare Ransom from Ireland.

Apple Charlotte, an English-bred victorious in three of four starts in England, worked an easy seven furlongs on Cushion Track in 1:27.80 under exercise rider John McCauley. Mike Smith will have the riding assignment.

Meanwhile Jeff Byrne, assistant to trainer Dermot Weld, hopes that Rare Ransom can follow in the footsteps of Dimitrova, who won this race for Weld in 2003.

Shes very sound and has a lovely constitution, said Byrne after galloping the filly one mile on the main track. Shes a very straight-forward horse.

Rare Ransom has won two of seven starts in Ireland and finished fourth in the Group I Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh in her last start May 24 for owner Lady OReilly. Weld is expected to arrive later Wednesday.

The three foreign arrivals were joined in the stable area by four Eastern invitees: Gozzip Girl from New York, The Best Day Ever from Kentucky, Magical Affair from Maryland and Afternoon Stroll from Pennsylvania who were flown West on Monday.

The seven shippers will be joined by seven local horses in the eighth running of the American Oaks. The probable lineup: Apple Charlotte (jockey: Mike Smith), Rare Ransom (Patrick Smullen), Puttanesca (Glen Boss), Gozzip Girl (Kent Desormeaux), Magical Affair (Julien Leparoux), The Best Day Ever (Corey Lanerie), Afternoon Stroll (Joseph Talamo), Well Monied (Joel Rosario), Mrs Kipling (David Flores), Acting Lady (Rafael Bejarano), Third Dawn (Garrett Gomez), Lexlenos (Alex Solis), Nan (Corey Nakatani) and Pretty Unusual (Tyler Baze).

FLEET FIELD OF NINE ASSEMBLED FOR GRADE I PRIORESS AT BELMONT

The only Grade I six-furlong sprint for 3-year-old fillies in the United States, the $300,000 Prioress at Belmont Park has long been a showcase for some of the fastest fillies on the planet, from Ta Wee in 1969 to Safely Kept in 1989, Xtra Heat in 2001 to Indian Blessing in 2008.

The 62nd edition, part of a trio of graded stakes to be run on Saturday, July 4, including the Grade II, $400,000 Suburban Handicap and the Grade II, $200,000 Dwyer, shows why it deserves its Grade I status, having attracted a field of nine outstanding fillies headed by Grade I Acorn Stakes winner Gabbys Golden Gal.

Trained by Bob Baffert, who won last years edition with Indian Blessing, Gabbys Golden Gal will be turning back from the flat mile of the Acorn, in which she blazed wire to wire in 1:34.79.

I think shes going into the race just as good as she did for the Acorn, said Tonja Terranova, who oversees Bafferts New York-based horses. Her last two breezes have been in hand.

In six starts, Gabbys Golden Gal has registered three wins, one second and one third, with her only off-the-board performance coming behind Rachel Alexandra in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks, in which she led for six furlongs before giving way.

Shes very fast, added Terranova. Bob has always had a lot of confidence in her.

Heart Ashley brings a three-race winning streak into the Prioress, comprised of back-to-back Grade III wins in the Cicada at Aqueduct Racetrack on March 14 and the Miss Preakness at Pimlico on May 15. The daughter of Lion Heart, trained by Steve Asmussen, has been first or second in each of her six lifetime starts.

This is the race shes been pointed towards for a long time, Asmussen. Shes a very fast filly. In a Grade I sprint on dirt for three-year-old fillies, everyone is going to show up.

That includes On the Menu, who handed Heart Ashley her worst defeat by 7 lengths in an allowance at the Fair Grounds.

The Prioress is going to deserve its Grade I status here, said On the Menus trainer, Larry Jones, who won the Prioress in 2006 with Wildcat Bettie B. This filly has been doing very well, and weve always been high on her. One of the reasons was she ran so well against Heart Ashley, whos a very nice filly.

EMIRATES AIRLINE SUMMER RACING PRESENTED BY THE NTRA TO BEGIN JULY 25

The broadcast schedule for Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA has been set with the kickoff telecast slated for Saturday, July 25. The series, to air on the ESPN networks, will provide comprehensive, live coverage of Grade I summer racing fixtures from three of Americas most loved racing venues.

Beginning with the Grade I, $350,000 Eddie Read Stakes on the turf from Del Mar (July 25, ESPN2, 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET), Emirates Airline Summer Racing Presented by the NTRA will take viewers from coast to coast as it showcases some of racings biggest starsmany of whom will go on to compete in the November 6-7 Breeders Cup World Championships.

On August 8, the scene shifts to Arlington Park outside Chicago for the Grade I Arlington Million (ESPN 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET), which annually attracts top grass runners from around the world for its seven-figure purse. The Arlington Million also serves as a Breeders Cup Challenge Win and Youre In event for the Breeders Cup Turf.

The series concludes on August 29 with the $1 million Shadwell Travers Stakes from Saratoga (ESPN, 4:30-6:00 p.m. ET). Known as the Mid-Summer Derby, the 2009 Travers could bring together all three winners from this years Triple Crown eventsDerby winner Mine That Bird, Preakness heroine Rachel Alexandra and Belmont Stakes victor Summer Bird.

We are very pleased to once again partner with ESPN in bringing racing fans key summer contests from three of the sports showpiece racetracks, said Alex Waldrop, President and CEO of the NTRA.

RACING TO HISTORY

July 2, 1989: Jockey Steve Cauthen became the first rider in history to sweep the worlds four major derbies after winning the Irish Derby with Old Vic. He had previously won the Kentucky Derby with Affirmed (1978), the Epsom Derby with Slip Anchor (1985) and Reference Point (1987) and the French Derby with Old Vic (1989).

July 2, 2007: Following a four-day carryover of $3,274,505, Hollywood Parks Pick Six pool reached a record $10.87 million. The days 13 winning tickets were worth $576,064.40 each.

July 3, 1937: The Del Mar Turf Club, with crooner Bing Crosby as president and actor Pat OBrien as one of the club officers, opened for racing.

July 3, 1977: Seattle Slews nine-race winning streak came to an end in the Swaps Stakes at Hollywood Park, when he finished fourth, beaten 16 lengths by J.O. Tobin.

July 3, 1982: D. Wayne Lukas-trained Landaluce, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., won the first of her five consecutive victories at Hollywood Park. The daughter of Seattle Slew, owned by Barry Beal and Lloyd French, died of a viral infection in November of that year, but was posthumously voted champion two-year-old filly of 1982.

July 4, 1954: Two-year-old Ribot won his first race, the Premio Tramuschio. He concluded his career in 1956, with 16 wins in as many starts.

July 4, 1972: Two-year-old Secretariat, ridden by Paul Feliciano, ran fourth to winner Herbull in his racing debut, blocked badly throughout the race, at Aqueduct. It was the poorest placing of Secretariats career.

July 4, 1976: Charlie Whittingham swept the top three spots in the American Handicap at Hollywood Park with his trainees King Pellinore, Riot in Paris and Caucasus. On July 26, he repeated the feat in the Sunset Handicap, with Caucasus first, King Pellinore second and Riot in Paris third.

July 4, 1978: Trainer D. Wayne Lukas won his first $100,000 stakes raceover the turftaking the American Handicap with Effervescing, ridden by Laffit Pincay Jr., at Hollywood Park.

July 4, 1998: Elusive Quality ran the fastest mile in history in the Poker Handicap at Belmont Park. The five-year-old horse was timed in 1:31 3/5 over a firm turf course.

July 4, 2000: Hall of Fame jockey Russell Baze scored his 7,000 career victory aboard This Is the Moment at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton, Calif. Baze became the sixth jockey to join the 7,000-win club.

July 5, 1991: Jockey Ray Sibille won his 3,000th career race, aboard Sporting Surf at Pleasanton.

July 6, 1975: Locust Hill Farms undefeated filly Ruffian engaged Kentucky Derby winner Foolish Pleasure in a match race at Belmont Park. Racing on the lead, Ruffian sustained a severe leg injury and was pulled up by jockey Jacinto Vasquez. The filly was euthanized the following day when efforts to save her proved futile.

July 6, 1977: In the second of their 10 meetings, Alydar defeated Affirmed to win the Great American Stakes at Belmont Park. This was the first of Alydars three victories over Affirmed.

July 7, 1934: Mary Hirsch became the first female to be licensed as a Thoroughbred trainer, in Illinois. Hirsch subsequently was licensed in Michigan that year and two years later, on April 9, she was licensed by The Jockey Club to train in New York.

July 10, 1982: Landaluce, a two-year-old daughter of Seattle Slew, won the Hollywood Lassie Stakes by 21 lengths under the guidance of Laffit Pincay Jr. She ran the six furlong race in 1:08, just 3/5 of a second off the track record at Hollywood Park.

July 11, 1997: Breeders Cup Ltd. announced that supplemental entry fees would be added to the purses of Breeders Cup Championship Day events.

July 12, 1971: Bold Ruler, sire of 82 stakes winners, including Secretariat, died at Claiborne Farm.

July 13, 1986: Jockey Kent Desormeaux rode his first winner, a three-year-old filly named Miss Tavern, in the fifth race at Evangeline Downs.

July 13, 1996: Cigar tied Citations record of 16 consecutive victories, winning the Citation Challenge at Arlington International Racecourse.

July 13, 2006: The condition of injured Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro took a turn for the worse when it was discovered that the colt has developed acute laminitis in his left hind foot.

July 13, 2007: Funny Cide, winner of the 2003 Kentucky Derby, was retired. The popular New York-bred gelding then began a second career as a stable pony.

July 14, 1951: In his last race, Calumet Farms six-year-old Citation won the Hollywood Gold Cup by four lengths, and became racings first millionaire horse.

July 14, 1999: Television Games Network (TVG) made its official debut with horse racing programming available to 1.1 million C-band satellite homes though Superstar/Netlink Group, the nations largest satellite programming provider.

July 15, 1966: Dr. Fager won his first race by seven lengths at Aqueduct racetrack. He was sent off at odds of 10-1.

July 15, 1972: After finishing fourth in his racing debut on July 4, Secretariat won his first race, under jockey Paul Feliciano. The six-length victory occurred at Aqueduct.

July 15, 1987: Jack Van Berg became the first trainer to win 5,000 races when he sent Arts Chandelle, a $10,000 claimer, to victory at Arlington Park.

July 15, 1999: The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) confirmed that it had completed its purchase of the horseracing assets of Winner Communications via its newly formed subsidiary, NTRA Investments LLC.

July 15, 2000: Three-year-old filly Hallowed Dreams kept her record perfect and tied Cigars and Citations record of 16 consecutive wins by taking the Dixie Miss Stakes at Louisiana Downs.

WEEKEND STAKES RACES (unrestricted stakes in N.A. worth $75,000 and up)

FRIDAY, JULY 3

Bashford Manor Stakes, 2yo, $100,000, Grade III, 6F, Churchill Downs

Flawlessly Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1M (T), Hollywood Park

Mr. Prospector Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 6F, Monmouth Park

SATURDAY, JULY 4

United Nations Stakes, 3up, $750,000, Grade I, 1 3-8M (T), Monmouth Park

Suburban Handicap, 3up, $400,000, Grade II, 1 1-4M, Belmont Park

Prioress Stakes, 3yo fillies, $300,000, Grade I, 6F, Belmont Park

Salvator Mile Stakes, 3up, $250,000, Grade III, 1M, Monmouth Park

Dwyer Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, Grade II, 1 1-16M, Belmont Park

Firecracker Handicap, 3up, $150,000, Grade II, 1M (T), Churchill Downs

American Handicap, 3up, $150,000, Grade II, 1 1-8M (T), Hollywood Park

Chicago Handicap, 3up (fm), $150,000, Grade III, 7F, Arlington Park

Dale Baird Memorial Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 5 1-2F, Mountaineer Park

Firecracker Stakes, 3up (fm), $75,000, 1M (T), Mountaineer Park

Independence Day Stakes, 3up, $75,000, 1M (T), Mountaineer Park

SUNDAY, JULY 5

American Oaks Invitational, 3yo fillies, $700,000, Grade I, 1 1-4M (T), Hollywood Park

Triple Bend Handicap, 3up, $300,000, Grade I, 7F, Hollywood Park

Tom Fool Handicap, 3up, $200,000, Grade III, 7F, Belmont Park

Jersey Shore Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, Grade III, 6F, Monmouth Park

Locust Grove Handicap, 3up (fm), $100,000, Grade III, 1M (T), Churchill Downs

MONDAY, JULY 6

Dr. James Penny Memorial Handicap, 3up (fm), $200,000, 1 1-16M (T), Philadelphia Park

Indiana Downs Distaff Stakes, 3yo fillies, $100,000, 1M (T), Indiana Downs

TUESDAY, JULY 7

Oliver Stakes, 3yo, $200,000, 1M (T), Indiana Downs

Dance Gal Dance shook off early pressure Thursday, pulling clear in midstretch for a 4-length victory in the $67,450 Wandering Cloud Stakes for New York-bred fillies and mares at Belmont Park.

Rajiv Maragh guided the 4-year-old to her fifth win in seven starts. The time was 1:11 for the six furlongs on the fast track.

Trained by Tim Ritvo, Dance Gal Dance paid $3.80, $2.90 and $2.20 as the 4-5 favorite. Beam of Love rallied for second, returning $6.60 and $3.20. Just Zip It paid $4 to show.